Prescription take back event scheduled for Saturday

Law enforcement agencies nationwide have scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, so unwanted or expired medications can be disposed of safely – keeping them out of the wrong hands, and the island’s groundwater.

The Riverhead Police Department and Peconic Bay Medical Center will be accepting medications on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It is very important to legitimately get rid of these prescriptions because some can be very addictive and are gateway drugs to other more dangerous narcotics,” said Riverhead Police chief David Hegermiller. “Keep track of quantities; missing pills could be a warning sign. When finished with a prescription, make sure you dispose of it properly.”

“Properly disposing of medications not only protects the drinking water from contamination of pharmaceutical residues, but it also ensures that children, young adults and others will not have ready access to controlled substances,” said supervisor Sean Walter.

Soon, East End residents will not have to wait for drug disposal events to turn in their unwanted medications.

The Group for the East End, with the help of Suffolk County’s Soil and Water Conservation District, has established the East End Medication Disposal Program, giving residents year-round access to drop boxes at local police departments, including Riverhead and Southold departments, to dispose of unused medications.